Coal-chute for locomotives.



No. 802,970. PATENTED 00T. 31, 1905. V. Z.. CARAGRISTI.

COAL CHUTE FOB. LOCOMOTIVBS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.8,1905.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATBNTED 0:1131, 1905.

V. Z. CARACRISTI. GOAL CHUTE POR LOGOMO'I'IVBS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAB.. B, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1905.

Application filed March 8, 1905. Serial No. 249,101.

To all wir/07% it 17a/pty concer-71,:

Be it known that I, VIRGINIUS Z. CARACRISTI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Granite, in the county of Chesterfield and State of Virginia, have invented a Coal-Chute for Locomotives, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coaling devices for depositing coal in predetermined quantities in the tenders of railway-locomotives and is what is commonly called a coal-chute. Various attempts have been made for the provision of devices of this character; but such attempts have for the most part failed, either wholly or partially, so that as a result such devices have of late been abandoned, and no attempt at obtaining even an approximate record of the coal delivered to each locomotive-tender is now made so far as I am aware. As a result the coal-record standing of engine crews must necessarily be given up and eorts to save coal confined to -those which are put forth by the engineers and firemen themselves. this, too, notwithstanding the fact that it is well recognized by railway authorities that coal must be weighed or accurately measured in order to form the basis for its economical use.

The objects, therefore, of my invention are to provide a comparatively simple structure designed to be placed alongside a railwaytrack, whereby said device is capable of delivering into a locomotive-tender mounted on said track a predetermined quantity of coal, to adapt such apparatus to be continuously supplied with coal from a suitable superimposed or otherwise located source, and to provide a simple and effectual means for opening and closing the discharge-pocket and for positively cutting ofi and preventing communication between said discharge-pocket and the supply-bin when the discharge-pocket is open or in the act of discharging its contents, whereby accurate measurement of the disl charged coal must necessarily result.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims. p

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a vertical transverse sectional view of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial front elevation of the same, showing the discharge-pockets. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the discharge-pockets, showlng the operating mechanism. Fig. 4 1s a det-ail in section of one of the air or other fluid-pressure cylinders.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the drawings.

At one side of the railway-track A, I locate the supporting structure for the coal-chute. This structure, it will be understood, may be of any desired design, the only essential being that it shall embody therein one or a plurality of main coal-supply bins B and one or a plurality of smaller discharge-pockets C, together with a track'D, supported above the supply-bins B, or some other means whereby coal may be delivered to the supply-bins B.

In the present instance and merely as a convenient means for supporting the pockets and bins I have illustrated one convenientform of structure; but to the same it is to be understood I lay no particular stress, as it may be superseded by any other form desired. Upon several series of longitudinal sills E, I arrange cross-sills F, and from the latter rise the main uprights G, which support, in connection with the intermediate converging uprights H, the upper sills I. The latter may in turn support the track D, and at each side suitably-guarded walks J and K may be located. The structure thus arranged is suitably braced and in addition may have a central vertical support L, which, in connection with the remainder of the structure, is capable of sustaining the weight of the bottom end of the supply-bin B, together with its contents.

The bottom end of the supply-bin B is inclined, as shown, so as to feed its contents by gravity through a discharge-opening N. At the lower end thereof are arranged at opposite sides vertical ways P, and within the ways and designed to open downwardly is a sliding door or cut-off O. Above the opening and within the bin I employ a baflie M', the same being inclined oppositely with relation to the bottom of the supply-bin and by its presence facilitates the flow of coal th rough the opening. The door O, as before stated, is designed to descend in opening, so that in either operation of opening or closing its passage will not be seriously impeded by the coal passing through the opening, as would be the case where the door descended for the purpose of closing. Any desired means may be employed for operating this door or cutoff. For the purpose, however, of obviating the necessity of any undue manual labor I prefer to eifectually close said door and open the same through the medium of any desired IOO IIO

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Huid-pressure. For this purpose I may, and preferablydo,employafluid-pressurecylinder Q, one for each door O. The piston-rod Ql of each cylinder, it will be understood, is connected pivotally or otherwise to the lower end of said door, as at Q2. These fluid-pressure cylinders may be mounted for support in any desired manner-as, for instance, as shown in Fig. Q-upon suitable cross-bars. They are further provided each with a suitable supply-pipe Q3 and upper and lower branch pipes QA1 and Q5, communicating with the cylinder above and below the piston, as Shown in Fig. 4. At the juncture of the pipes Q2, Qt, and Q5, I may locate an ordinary fourway valve Q, the sanne having a handle Q7, from the ends of which may extend operating-rods Q8 and Q, leading to the top of the structure, and therefore within easy grasp of the person in charge when upon the walkway R. These rods, it will be understood, may of course lead to any other convenient point, or the valve QG may be located convenient to the walkway R. The walkway R referred to may be suitably guarded and is mounted upon the top of the' discharge-pockets C.

The discharge-pocket C is arranged opposite the discharge-opening N of the supplybin, and its inclined bottom S is arranged slightly below the inclined bottom of said su ppl y-bin. Each discharge-pocket is formed with a front wall S', in the lower end of which occurs a discharge-opening S2, and above the Alatter there is hinged, as at S3, an outwardly-swinging door S".

It is preferred to' arrange the mechanism thus described in series or plural form, preferably the latter, and to construct one of the sets of pockets of twice the capacity of the companion-pocket, so that any desired quantity of coal can be readily obtained. It will of course lbe understood that each pocket may be discharged one or more times in filling a tender. For instance, one pocket C may be of a capacity to discharge, and therefore measure, two tons, and its companion pocketdischarge, and therefore measure, four tons, all as will be readily understood.

Arranged lunder each pocket C is a rockshaft T, and each of said shafts is provided with a pair of rock-arms T in the shape of latches, which extend from the shaft at each end, so that when elevated their shoulders or front ends will engage the'lower free end of the hinged gate Si, thus locking the same against opening. One end of shaft T is further provided with a rock-arm T2, which eX- tends rearward and at one side of the discharge-pocket. Above this latter rock-arm upon a bearing U is fulcrumed a lever U', from which may extend upwardly and at its front end an operating-rod U2 and downwardly an operating-rod U3. A connectingrod U4 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the free end of the rock-arm T2 and has 'its upper slotted end loosely connected, as at the'downwardly-opening sliding door O of the bin B when said door is elevated, and thus lock the same against lowering. (See dotted lines, Fig. The outer end of each rockshaft V is further provided with va short rock-arm V2, which latter, through a connecting-rod V3, is connected to the rear end of the lever U. For the purpose of forming this connection, which should be loose, so as to permit of a certain amount of independence of movement between these parts, the upper end of the rod V3 is slotted, so as to loosely engage a stud on the rear end of the leven-U', as at V4. A weight W is suspended from the rock-arm V2, so as to normally draw the same downward and retain the notched latchshaped rock-arm V in locking engagement with the sliding cut-off or gate O.

A pulley X is arranged upon the side of the discharge-pocket, and over the same runs a cable X', the front end of the cable being connected `to the door or gate of the discharge-pocket and its opposite end carrying a weight X2, whereby said weight normally closes said door, and therefore the dischargeopening.

To each of the doors S4 there may be pivoted, as at Y, a toothed latch Y', the same having its eXtreme end terminating in a hook or shoulder vforming a stop. A keeper Y2 receives the latch and engages the stop, and with the keeper the teeth may also engage, so that the door when open may be retained in any of its adjusted positions and also limited in its movement, the weight X2 serving to close the door when the pocket has emptied its contents. From this latch there may eX- tend an operating-rod Y3 to the walkway R or other point.

This completes the-construction of my improved coal-chute, and the operation, though readily understood from this description` may be briefly stated as follows: It is designed that one man be in attendance for the purpose of seeing that the supply-bin is always kept filled and for operating from one of the walkways throughthe various instrumentalities the supplying of the coal from the bin to the discharge-pockets' and from the latter `to the tender. A tender coming under one of the discharge-pockets for a supply, the operator upon the walkway R draws upwardly upon the rod U2 or one of the train crew pushes upward on the rod U2. In either event the lever U draws upwardly upon the rock-arm T2 through the connecting-rod U4, and thus IOO IOS

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oscillates the rock-shaft T so as to disengage the latch-shaped rock-arms 'I from engagement with the free end of the door S2, thus permitting the discharge-pocket to empty7 its contents into the tender. As the door swings open the teeth of the latch Y will successively engage with the keeper Y2, the opening of the door being limited by the shoulder on the free end of said latch engaging with the keeper Y2. When the discharge pocket has been emptied, the operator draws upward upon the rod YS, thus releasing the latch from the keeper and permitting the door to be closed by the weight X2 and its cable X. By reason of the loose connection V4 between the upper end of the rod V3 and the rear end of the lever U it will be obvious that the described operation will not cause the lever U to operate the rock-arm V so as to disengage it from under the downwardly-movable sliding door O of the bin B, so that the door remains locked and can be operated so as to recharge the discharge-pocket C only when the door S4 is closed and locked, and then by pulling down upon the rod U3 or upward upon the rod U2, which will elevate the rear end of the lever U', and through the connecting-rod V3 and the arm V2 will thus rock the rockshaft V and tilt or rock the latch-shaped rockarm V so as to disengage it from under the sliding door O. It is then by operating the valve Q, preferably by a manipulation of the rods Q8 and Q, that the man in charge may cause the piston Q to descend, thus lowering and opening the door O, reiill the dischargepocket from the bin B, and he may, having the entire operation under his control, keep accurate account of the amount of coal each locomotive crew receives. After lling the discharge-pocket by a reversal of the operation the door O is relevated or closed, in which movement it will readily push its way through the stream of coal.

It will be observed that when the door O is lowered or open the front end of the lever U is depressed, and therefore through the rod U4 is the rock-arm T2 depressed and the latch-shaped rock-arms maintained in their elevated and locked position. Hence it will be seen it is impossible to discharge the contents of the bin B continuously through the discharge-pocket, but only intermittently, so that each discharge of the discharge-pocket can be noted and accurate account made of all deliveries.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a source of supply, a plurality of dischargepockets of varying capacity, cut-offs between said source of supply and said discharge-pockets, and closures for the discharge-pockets.

2. The combination,in acoal-chute,of a suptherein and having an inclined bottom terminatingin discharge-openings,a vertically-sliding downwardly-opening gate for said opening, a measuring discharge-pocket arranged in front of and communicating with said storage-bin and provided with a discharge-opening, and a gate for the latter opening.

3. In a coal-chute, the combination, of the sills E,crosssills F, the uprights G rising from the latter, the upper sills Isupported by the uprights, the inclined supports H rising from the cross-sills F, the track D supported by the sills I immediately above the inclined supports H, and a storage-bin and a discharge-pocket located upon the framework, the bin being below the track D.

4. In a coal-chute, the combination, of the sills E, cross-sills F, the uprights G rising from the latter, the upper sills I supported by the uprights, the inclined supports H rising from the cross-sills F, the track D supported by the sills I immediately above the inclined supports H, the walkways at each side of said track, a bin, and a discharge-pocket located upon the framework, the bin being located below the said track D.

5. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin and a contiguous discharge-pocket communicating therewith by an intermediate opening, ways at the opposite sides of the latter, a sliding gate mounted in said ways, a Huid-pressure cylinder arranged adjacent thereto and having its piston-rod connected to said gate, and means for admitting fluid under pressure at opposite sides of the piston-head.

6. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin and a contiguous discharge-pocket communicating therewith by an intermediate opening, vertical ways at the opposite sides of the opening, a sliding downwardly opening gate mounted therein, a Huid-pressure cylinder arranged adjacent thereto and having its pistonrod connected with said gate, pipes for admitting fluid-pressure at either side of the pistonhead, and a valve located in the pipes.

7. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin and a contiguous discharge-pocket communicating therewith by an intermediate opening, vertical ways at the opposite sides of the opening, a sliding downwardly opening gate' mounted therein, a fluid-pressure cylinder arranged adjacent thereto and having its pistonrod connected with said gate, pipes for admitting huid-pressure at either side of the pistonhead, a valve located in the pipes, and controlling-rods leading from the valve.

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8. The combination,in a coal-chute, of a disi charge-pocket provided with an opening, a door hinged above the opening, a keeper at one side of the door, a latch provided with inclined teeth pivoted to the door and passing through the keeper, and a weight connected with the door and adapted to close the same when the teeth of the latch are out of engageporting-framework, a storage-bin arranged l ment with said keeper.

y discharge-pocket having an opening, a door hinged above the same, a rock-shaft journaled below the pocket, latch-shaped rock-arms extending from said shaft and engaging the lower edge of the door, an operating rockarm extending from the shaft, and means for operating the rock-arm.

11. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a discharge-pocket provided with an opening, a door hinged thereabove, a bin communicating with the discharge-pocket, a vertically-sliding downwardly-opening door between the bin and pocket, means for operating the latter door, a catch for said latter door, and means for operating the catch.

12. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin and a communicating discharge-pocket having a hinged door, a sliding door between the bin and pocket, a latch for the hinged door, a latch for the sliding door, and operating mechanism common to the two latches, said mechanism when operated in one direction disengaging one latch only and when operated in the'other direction disengaging the other latch only.

13. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin havingadischarge-opening, opposite way's and a-vertically-sliding downwardly-opening door or gate, a discharge-pocket communicating with the bin by means of the said opening and having a discharge-opening, a door hinged above the latter opening, a rock-shaft T under the bottom of the discharge-pocket, latch-shaped rock-arms T carried by the shaft and having their outer shouldered ends adapted to engage the free end of the latter door, the rock-arm T2 extending from the end of the shaft, the operating-lever U fulcrumed at the side of the pocket, the rod U4t pivotally connected at its lower end to the rock-shaft T2 and at its upper end loosely and pivotally connected to the lever U', as at U5, the rockshaft V journaled in the wall of the pocket and having the notched rock-arm Vl engag ing the lower end of the sliding door, the rock-arm V2 extending from the rock-shaft V, the weight suspended from the arm V2, and the connecting-rod V3 pivotally connected to the rock-arm V2 and at its upper end loosely and pivotally connected to the remaining end of the lever U.

14. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin having an inclined bottom terminating in a discharge-opening, ways at opposite sides thereof, a baiile above the opening and inclined oppositely to the bottom, a communieating discharge-pocket, a vertically-sliding door mounted in the said ways, and means for operating the door.

l5. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin having a discharge-opening and a communicating discharge-pocket provided with a discharge-opening, a gate for each of said openings, and means for locking the gate of l the bin'by the releasing of the gate of the discharge-pocket.

16. The combination, in a coal-chute, of a bin having a discharge-opening and a cornmunicating discharge-pocket provided with a discharge-opening, a gate for each of said openings, and means for locking the gate of the discharge-pocket by the release oi' the gate of the bin.

In testimony whereofIhave signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VIRGINIUS Z. CARACRISTI.

Witnesses:

E. C. SEMPLE, C. H. SEEM. 

